May 2003 isn't even over yet and already it most certainly will be one for the record books. The killer tornado outbreak of May 4th will undoubtedly be remembered for many years to come. The F4 tornado that tracked through Crawford and Barton counties was the strongest May tornado this area has seen since at least 1950, and became only the 8th F4 or greater tornado to strike this area since 1950. The tornado outbreak on the 4th was far from being the only severe weather so far this month, in fact, Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado Warnings have been issued by your National Weather Service in Springfield on 13 out of the first 16 days of this month. So if you run into any local meteorologists and wonder why they look tired, this may give you some idea as to why!! Preliminary Statistics For The First Half of May 2003 Tornado Warnings Issued...75 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued...179 Severe Weather Statements Issued...(approximately) 542 Flash Flood Warnings Issued...24 Tornado Reports (including unconfirmed)...62 Damaging Wind/Hail Reports...301 Tornado Watches...18 Severe Thunderstorm Watches...7